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Movie night

Edina's Tyler Nanne (23) winds up on his goal in the Hornets' 3-2 victory over Duluth East in the Class 2A semifinals Friday, March 8. Photos by Brian Nelson.

Some day, years from now, Tyler Nanne will sit down with his kids for a special movie night. Forget Hollywood, though. He's going to pop in the tape of Friday nights' Class 2A state semifinal victory over Duluth East.

It's guaranteed to be a true classic in the Nanne household.

Nanne, a junior defenseman, gave third-seeded Edina a lead it would not relinquish, scoring with 6:41 to play to propel the Hornets to a 3-2 victory -- and a spot in Saturday night's state championship game.

"Every goal counts in the state tournament and when you get one, it's kind of special," said Nanne, who undoubtedly had the tape running back at home to capture his special moment.

The goal itself was far from a classic Hollywood beauty, though.

More like the bloopers and outtakes that run after the credits.

With the score tied at 1-all and less than six minutes to play in regulation, Nanne wheeled out of his own defensive zone. He crossed the 'Hounds blue line and tried to fire the puck on goal. Instead, it dribbled off his stick and towards the Duluth East defenseman.

"I unfortunately did whiff and the crowd booed me," laughed Nanne, who then just tried to poke the puck further into the offensive zone, yet again had it blocked by the 'Hounds.

Then came the magic that will play on the Nanne television more often than summer vacation slideshows.

East's defense tried to flip the puck high and out of danger, but Nanne caught it and dropped it to the ice. He didn't miss on his second chance, ripping a high wrister that handcuffed 'Hounds goaltender Dylan Parker, sailing between his head and glove.

"I just wanted to get shots on net because that's what our coaches were telling us to do," shrugged Nanne.

Nineteen seconds after Nanne's goal, Andy Jordahl scored the back-breaker to give the Hornets a 3-1 lead. East rallied over the final minutes, but Edina held on for a spot in the Class 2A state championship game Saturday night.

"We just knew that eventually somebody was going to step up and make the play for us to win," said assistant coach Dave Langevin. Knowing the family history of scoring big goals in the state tournament, he should have guessed it would be a Nanne.

Tyler's older brother Louie Nanne scored a huge goal in the Hornets' 2010 state title game win over Minnetonka. The Nannes’ father, Marty, scored the wining goal for the Hornets when they beat Bloomington Kennedy for the 1984 title. Tyler admitted to seeing replays of his father's goal more than a few times over the years.

"He wasn't really a goal scorer but when he put it in, it really meant a lot to me and our family," Nanne said, admitting he got his "goal-scorer's touch" from his father.

Tyler had just nine goals on the regular season as a forward-turned-defenseman. He grew up playing on the blue line, yet started the year on the Hornets' first line with Connor Hurley and Andy Jordahl. After a slow stretch early in the year, Nanne admitted the unit wasn't clicking as it should.

He moved back to the blue line, giving the Hornets another tough defenseman to go with seniors Parker Reno and Matt Nelson. But while their games revolve around heavy hitting and tight checking, Nanne's a big more free-wheeling.

"I'm not quite a defensive defenseman. I like to rush the puck up when I have the opportunity," Nanne said.

With his grandfather, Lou Nanne, calling the game on television, Tyler Nanne joined the family's state tournament highlight reel.

"He always talks to me about (the tournament) and how I'll remember it for the rest of my life," Nanne said. "I know that coming into this tournament, every shift counts. Every shot counts.